Tag: Science and Technology

Career Accelerator Ignites Student Momentum at AIAA SciTech Forum

FROM THE INSTITUTE
At AIAA SciTech Forum, a new student-focused career development program made a powerful debut—drawing packed rooms, buzzing conversations, and a palpable sense of momentum for the next generation of aerospace leaders. Designed as a full-day immersive experience, the Career Accelerator Program put university students front and center, equipping them with practical tools, inspiration, and direct access to industry leaders.

Lockheed’s AI Factory: Turning a “Digital Thread” Into a Battle-Ready Advantage

FROM THE INSTITUTE
A new AI platform that provides defense-grade security across environments is now available from Lockheed Martin, which has created a subsidiary to manage it. Astris AI provides the company’s AI Factory, offering an all-in-one operating model for all users. Companies or agencies that use it get access to the full arsenal of AI components available at the nation’s largest defense contractor.

Shield AI Co-Founder Shares 10-Year Journey Reimagining Air Power

FROM THE INSTITUTE
When brothers Ryan and Brandon Tseng co-founded Shield AI a decade ago with Andrew Reiter, they did so with a fire in their belly and a clear mission: to protect service members and civilians with intelligent systems, buoyed by the belief that “air power is the only way to deter war.”

No Fans Needed: Sophia Space’s Orbital Data Centers Will Cool, Compute, and Conquer Space-Based Computing

FROM THE INSTITUTE
Keeping cloud servers cool is a major headache. Vast amounts of chillers are needed to keep data centers humming. On Earth. But in space, that’s another story. Entrepreneur Rob DeMillo, CEO of Sophia Space, formerly of NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and MIT Lincoln Laboratory, with a portfolio of seven acquisitions and IPOs out of nine companies, said cooling servers in orbit is not a concern.

In the Race Against China, U.S. AI Leadership Depends on High-Quality Data, the Right Use Cases, and People Owning Validation of AI Output

FROM THE INSTITUTE
In today’s race with China for AI superiority, the United States must use quality data, lean into the right use cases, and keep humans front and center when validating results, urged Craig Martell, vice president and chief technology officer at Lockheed Martin, at AIAA SciTech Forum on Wednesday. “The Department [of Defense] is right in pushing hard for AI,” said Martell, referring to the latest memos calling for Pentagon-wide adoption of AI.

Industry Innovation: Art and Design Meet in Space

Experts explored how storytelling, entertainment‑industry practices, and other more artistic careers can influence engineering, and vice versa. Danica Vallone, Board Member and Founder, Organization for Space Medicine, Engineering, and Design; Ted Southern, Softgoods Division Manager for Paragon Space Development; and Brook Willard, Vice President of Development, Making Space Agency, took the stage to describe how science and art can inform each other.

Astronaut Peggy Whitson to Open AIAA SciTech Forum 2026

She joins a distinguished lineup of speakers from industry, government, and academia. These visionaries will take the stage during plenary and Forum 360 programming and will offer you their global perspectives on critical aerospace issues. Join us 12–16 January in Orlando, FL.

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AIAA SciTech Forum 2026 Adds Prominent Speakers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 12, 2025 – Reston, Va. – AIAA will kick off SciTech Forum 2026 with opening remarks from America’s most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson, Vice President of Human Spaceflight, Axiom Space. The event is scheduled 12–16 January, Hyatt Regency Orlando. Other daily plenary speakers will cover the latest innovations transforming aerospace, including:

  • Jonathan Arenberg, Fellow and Chief Mission Architect for Science and Robotic Exploration, Northrop Grumman, shares insights from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
  • Arbi Karapetian, Director, Innovation and Technology, Formula 1, brings nearly 30 years of aerospace experience to reveal how innovation fuels performance across industries
  • Jason Levin, SVP of Engineering for Air Dominance & Strike, Anduril, showcases lessons learned in developing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft, Fury
  • Craig Martell, CTO, Lockheed Martin, and Ylli Bajraktari, President and CEO, Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), discuss the challenges and opportunities of next-gen artificial intelligence

AIAA SciTech Forum is known for setting the pace of innovation and connection for the year. This year’s inspirational theme, “Breaking Barriers Together: Boundless Discovery,” will envision the possibilities for aerospace’s future. Other notable speakers include:

  • Camille Alleyne, Founder and CEO, Arusha Space, LLC
  • Carissa Christensen, CEO, BryceTech
  • Todd Citron, CTO, The Boeing Company
  • Greg Ombach, Senior Vice President, Airbus
  • Will Roper, CEO, Istari Digital, and former Assistant Secretary of Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, U.S. Air and Space Force
  • Brad Rothenberg, CEO, nTop
  • Ryan Tseng, President, Co-founder, and Chief Strategy Officer, Shield AI
  • Danica Vallone, CEO, Making Space

The new Career Accelerator Program for university students will deliver an intensive day of career advice and tools from AIAA Corporate Member hiring managers and recruiters, plus confirmed speakers:

  • Hillary Coe, Chief Design and Marketing Officer, Vast
  • Amy Medina Jorge, Educator and Blue Origin commercial astronaut
  • Joan Misner, Social Media Influencer @YourFemaleEngineer

Registration with the best pricing is available through 15 December. For the most up-to-date program information, visit SciTech.aiaa.org. Journalists can request media credentials at [email protected].

Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell

About AIAA

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit www.aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on LinkedIn, Instagram, X/Twitter, and Facebook.